Neophilia in Free-ranging Dogs

Abishek, J.V.R. (2023) Neophilia in Free-ranging Dogs. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata.

Text (MS dissertation of J.V.R.Abishek (18MS015)) Thesis_18MS015.pdf - Submitted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (963kB)

Abstract

Neophilia is found in several taxa of the animal kingdom. Some theories predict that neophilia played an important role in the first domestication event of animals – the evolution of domestic dogs. This study identifies how familiarity with the auditory cues can affect the response of a group of free-ranging dogs to a mobile novel object with various auditory cues. Dogs show high neophobia towards the novel object when barking cues are added. Dogs primarily ignore the novel object when neutral sound cues are provided. Dogs show fewer neophobic responses when no additional sounds were added to the novel object. The dog responses are in accordance with the context given out by the auditory cues played on the novel moving object.

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